Configurable reference circuit for logic gates
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorRomney R. Katti
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure is directed to techniques for generating a reference current based on a combinational logic function that is to be performed by a magnetic logic device. A comparator circuit may compare an amplitude of a read current that flows through the magnetic logic device and the reference current to generate a logic output value that corresponds to the logic output value when combinational logic function is applied to the input values. By selecting appropriate amplitudes for the reference current the magnetic logic device may be caused to implement different combinational logic functions.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- receiving, with a magnetic logic device, a function select signal that indicates a combinational logic function that is to be performed by the magnetic logic device on input values stored on the magnetic logic device;
- configuring an amount of impedance provided by at least one of a plurality of magnetoresistive devices of a reference circuit of the magnetic logic device based at least on the combinational logic function that is to be performed by the magnetic logic device;
- and
- generating, with the reference circuit, a reference current whose amplitude is based at least on the amount of impedance provided by the at least one of the plurality of magnetoresistive devices of the reference circuit.
An apparatus comprising:
- a magnetic logic device operable to receive a function select signal that indicates a combinational logic function that is to be performed by the magnetic logic device on input values stored on the magnetic logic device;
- and
- a reference circuit that includes a plurality of magnetoresistive devices and is operable to generate a reference current whose amplitude is based at least on an amount of impedance provided by at least one of the plurality of magnetoresistive device,
- wherein the amount of impedance provided by the at least one of the plurality of magnetoresistive devices of the reference circuit is configured based at least on the combinational logic function that is to be performed by the magnetic logic device.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving, with a magnetic logic device, a function select signal that indicates a combinational logic function that is to be performed by the magnetic logic device on input values stored on the magnetic logic device;
- means for configuring an amount of impedance provided by at least one of a plurality of magnetoresistive devices of a reference circuit of the magnetic logic device based at least on the combinational logic function that is to be performed by the magnetic logic device;
- and
- means for generating, with the reference circuit, a reference current whose amplitude is based at least on the amount of impedance provided by the at least one of the plurality of magnetoresistive devices of the reference circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.